Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1887-12-25
CHAPTER ".
An ACCIDENT.

chronicled Tomasp, with his father
drove to the City OF Los Angeles. L
was in the very early Spring. Heavy
rains had fallen and the streams were
pretty full. The mountain ponds wore
all ready to overflow, and the grounc
everywhere was soaked. The roads
too, were heavy, and progress wa;
necessarily slow. Knowing this
Thomas Bailey and Tomaso were early
astir from the ranch and by 10 O'Clock
they had reached the city. But the
sky had become overcast, and before
Bailey had transacted his. business
the rain was coming down in
torrents. Return was ont OF the
question, SO arrangements were
made to remain in town al
night. The rain fell nearly all the af.
ternoon and well into the night; but
when the father and his heir rose
next morning at an early hour and
met at the breakfast table the sun was
out bright and warm. Tie day was
one of these delicious, charming days
iniescrib,hie 10 those who never have
experienced the effect OF clearing up
in Southern California. Such days
need no description to those who have
enjoyed such an experience. The
effect is never eifaced from the tab
let's of the memory.
In little time the horses
were hitched and our friends
were on the road homeward
bound. Although the mud was deep,
the two young horses bowled along
over the road at Il fair pace and all
went went we'll, and about noon the
bank of the river was reached. Up
the mesa on the opposite side, some
miles distant, the gray roof OF the low
ADOBE was visible. The sweep Of the
plain presented u lovely picture as it
lay green and sunny beneath the great
mountain. The herds and hocks
roamed at will along the countryside
amid the low-growing evergreen
oaks. Down the slope q
horseman spurred rapidly towards
the ford OF the river and soon reached
the bank. 1t was Chico who saw the
team and rightly OWNED it was his
uncle and cousin returning. AS the
horses approached the water he cali
ed loudly some word OF warning, but
the stream was wide, the roar of the
water loud, and the light wind blow
ing against the Cry Of Chico. Cali
fornia streams are deceptive even to
the eye OF the experienced. 1t is
hard to judge of the depth of a river
in flood. Besides their beds are
treacherous, full OF shifting quick
sand. When the team had
reached mid-stream il was ev--
ident that there was more water
than there had seemed to. be.
But as the channel had usually run
nearest the bank where Bailey entered
the river. he thought the worst was
passed. This is what Chico had tried
to shout across. The bed Of the stream
had changed. His quick eye saw by
the swift current right under the bank
that the main stream was on that
side. 1t was too late now to give
warning, even if his voice had been
strong enough. The horses now
became aware of danger, and
as usual, lost their heads.
The animals We're capable
of but one thought--that of making u
rush for the bank before them. In
they dashed into the still deepening
and rushing stream. In moment
they lost their feet. The whole NOV
ing torrent was as much sand as
water. TO go beneath it for a second
was to be lost forever. Bailey was
an excellent swimmer, but Tomaso
had never in his life been i'll anything
more dangerous or deeper than
a bath tub. With agonizing speed
these reflections crowded through
the bewildered fathers brain! Save
himself and the boy was in possible!
Yet, rather than part with him, Bailey
would rather perish with him. The
bank rose high above the stream,
where many foods had cut q wide,
deep channel through the fertile
plain. The road was cut down to the.
bed of the stream. 1t was . mere
gap OF not more than thirty feet in
width. To reach it was the one
chance OF escape. As experienced
drivers always do in crossing these
rivers, Bailey had directed his course
some distance above this gap, but
when the horses lost their feet,
in moment the whole rig was swept
down stream at terrific pace. The
mad rash OF the frightened animals
had, however, carried the vehicle to
within about fifty feet from the gap
leading up from the river. Chico's
quick eve took in the situation. He
leaped from his horse, and now stood
by an oak tree on the bank. He
shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Save yourself, l will take care OF
Tomasow
In such circumstances the
mind usually gives itself up
to any word OF command.
Bailey stopped not to reason. He
did as he was told, and by Hercu-
lean effort reached the bank above the
rushing stream.
Chico had swung his RATA over his
head with true cowboy" skill. Its